Maritime Aspects of Culture

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Courses / Modules / ARCH6414 Maritime Aspects of Culture

When you'll study it: Semester 1
CATS points: 15
ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Level 7
Module lead: Rosemary Farr
Academic year: 2025-26

Module overview

This module will introduce you to the key theoretical and technical concepts used in maritime archaeology, along with its evidence base. It has been designed to provide an accelerated learning curve for those who are new to the subject area, developing core knowledge in archaeological method, theory and materials. It begins by analysing the development of the subject and its related areas of study in order to facilitate a better understanding of current theoretical approaches, management priorities and research potential for maritime archaeology, within the context of archaeology as a whole. This provides the platform from which to consider the scope of the subject in terms of the site types and classes of evidence available; from the Palaeolithic to present day, from landscape- to site-based scales of analysis. It also serves to demonstrate what is gained from adopting a maritime perspective and how this allows fundamental re-assessment of the wider archaeological record. Case studies, practical sessions and fieldtrips will all be used to contextualise the knowledge gained throughout the course and broaden your archaeological experience. By the end of the module you will be familiar with the scope, potential and resource base of the discipline. You will have gained key skills in research, presentation and writing relevant to both academia and industry.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply theoretical models to specific areas of maritime archaeological research and specific problems

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Assess a maritime landscape with respect to interpretation
Undertake independent research in the above areas
Evaluate and critique past and current theoretical approaches
Understand the nature of the marine environment and the potential for activity on it.
Assimilate and evaluate different theoretical perspectives

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Learn and apply new practical and theoretical skills
Produce academic/commercial standard reports and presentations
Plan, design and implement data research/collection and presentation

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the archaeological potential of boats, ships and associated material culture.
recent and current maritime research trends
the history of the development of maritime archaeology
the theoretical approaches to maritime archaeology, maritime cultures and maritime landscapes
the potential of both submerged terrestrially deposited archaeology and the remains of seafaring activities.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply current theoretical approaches in maritime archaeology

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include: •Weekly formal lectures to introduce key topics, themes and areas of study •Regular student led seminars •Appropriate field trips if Covid-related restrictions are removed Learning methods include: •Directed learning through lectures/seminars •Guided self-study •Completion of two assignments •Use of online resources •Use of library resources •Oral presentation preparation and delivery on key topics

��TV time
Type	Hours
Wider reading or practice	44
External visits	6
Lecture	22
Completion of assessment task	17
Seminar	6
Preparation for scheduled sessions	44
Follow-up work	11
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Farr, H (2004). Seafaring as Social Action. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 1(1).

Ingold, T (1993). The temporality of the landscape. World Archaeology. Conceptions of Time and Ancient Society, 25:2.

Blue, L (2003). Maritime Ethnography: The Reality of Analogy. Boats, Ships and Shipyards. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium of Boat and Ship Archaeology, Venice 2000: 334-338. Oxford: Oxbow Books..

Garrow, D. and Sturt, F (2011). Grey Waters Bright with Neolithic Argonauts? Maritime connections and the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition with the ‘western seaways’ of Britain, c. 5000-3500 BC.. Antiquity, Antiquity 85 (327) p. 59-72.

Westerdahl, C. (1992). The maritime cultural landscape. , IJNA 21.1: 5-14.

Cooney, G (2004). Introduction: seeing land from the sea. World Archaeology. , 35(3), 323-8.

Textbooks

Gould, R.A. (2011). Archaeology and the Social History of Ships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hocker, F. M. & Ward, C. A. (2004). The Philosophy of Shipbuilding. Conceptual Approaches to the ��TV of Wooden Ships. College Station: Texas A & M University Press.

Muckelroy, K. (1978). Maritime Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Adams, J. (2003). Ships, Innovation and Social Change. Aspects of carvel Shipbuilding in Northern Europe 1450 – 1850 [Archaeology to provide PDF.]. Stockholm: University of Stockholm.

Lucas, G. (2012). Understanding the Archaeological Record. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rainbird, P. (2007). The Archaeology of Islands. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Gardiner, R. (2004). The Earliest Ships. The Evolution of Boats into Ships. Conway History of the Ship. London: Conway Maritime Press.

McGrail, S. (1998). Ancient Boats in North West Europe. London: : Longman.

Steffy, J. R. (1994). Wooden Shipbuilding and the Interpretation of Shipwrecks.. Texas A&M University Press.

Green, J. (2009). Maritime Archaeology, a Technical Handbook. London: Academic Press.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Informal feedback will provided throughout the module via lectures, practicals, seminars and supervisions. Detailed and constructive written feedback will be given for all assignments submitted.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Written assessment

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Written feedback and tutorial sessions
Final Assessment:
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research essay	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Resubmit assessments	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research essay	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

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